Self Serve Vacuum Security Locks

[TEEBOX]

All,

How many operators utilize some sort of vacuum security lock. I'm constantly cleaning up after folks who look for the loose change and valuables. I once put locks on but they bent the door to get inside.

Yes I clean them everyday but it still happens!

What are your thought?

Thanks in advance!

 

[loewem]

I didn't lock mine at first and people would open them, pull out the rubber bin and leave a mess. I've been locking them for two years and had one clasp bent. Much better than more mess to clean up.

 

[DiamondWash]

We had locks on another location and they either would cut them off or bend the door to get in to that treasure trove of goodness, we even went so far to put a cheapo alarm on the inside so once the contacts were separated the alarm went off well we found it on the parking lot here and there.

 

[mjwalsh]

Teebox,

https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-19724-je-adams-9427k-security-cover-dual-service-door.aspx

The retrofit version of the above look very similiar to the ones we bought from Industrial &/or Doyle Vacs about 15 years ago ... they have proven themselves very well for us.

mike walsh www.kingkoin.com

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

I put cheap brass locks (from the local hardware store) on both vac doors so long ago I cant even remember. I've only had the doors vandalized a few times since then.
About 10 years ago I took the top locks off to make shaking out the bags easier, nobody seems to bother with that so I left the top ones off.

On a related note, I'm in the process of adding locks to the trash can lids, I just bought a "locker lock" to make it real easy for me to open. If they are weather proof (I suspect not so much) I might switch the vacs to use that lock too. Here's the lock I bought:
https://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-1500iD-Combination-Assorted/dp/B002TSN4SQ

 

[MEP001]

The best defense is to clean the vacs out every day and leave them unlocked. After a while they'll stop coming around because they aren't finding any change.

 

[cwguy.com]

The best defense is to clean the vacs out every day and leave them unlocked. After a while they'll stop coming around because they aren't finding any change.

I actually LOL when I read your comment. Even though your solution is a true way of fixing the problem. Like anyone wants to hear that? The only problem is.... they seemed to get mad and left the doors open.

I would not use the security covers from KR.... that is just asking for major vandalism I believe. Cheap locks that can get cut or twisted off without messing up your vacs would be perfect. You can also try talking to the person? Tell them it is okay if they clean up? Or tell them it is not okay and you are going to call the Police?

 

[Randy]

We don’t lock the vac clean out doors anymore because they will rip them apart to get that special treasure, we do clean out our vacuums every day, it’s a pain in the A$$ and they still come at night and open up the doors. It wouldn’t be so bad if they’d close the doors, they leave them open so the customers who come at night can’t use the vacuums. I watched the video from last night and there were 5 different people who hit the vacuums looks for that treasure. The first was at around 8pm, he was well dressed driving a Jeep Renegade with disabled veteran license plates and then the guy’s on the bicycles come during the course of the night. It never ends.

 

[MEP001]

A spring-loaded door hinge would fix the problem of them leaving the door open.

 

[Randy]

A spring-loaded door hinge would fix the problem of them leaving the door open.

We’ve tried to retro fit a spring loaded hinge on the lower vac door, they didn’t last long.

 

[Ghetto Wash]

I've tried dozens of ways to lock the vac trash. The only way that has worked for me is to cut a sheet of stainless sheet as wide as the trash door is tall (about 12"). Weld angle to the ends of the sheet. take the existing locks and hasps off the door. Wrap the stainless sheet completely around the vac so that the two welded angles meet up and hold the door closed. Drill 3 hole through the two angles. Put a padlock in one hole to lock the two angles together. Put nuts and bolts through the other two holes and tighten to pull the sheet tight around the vac. Pop rivet the sheet to the vac so when you clean out the trash and unbolt the sheet it stays in place ready to close back up. Sorry for the long description, a pic would have been better but I don't have one handy.

Without looking close you can't even tell there is a wrap around the vac. The wrap looks like part of the vac canister. It will only work on standard round vacs. The bums that dig through the vac debris typically have something to pry with, but not a couple of wrenches to loosen the wrap.

They have been pried on a couple of times, but never any major damage and never gotten into (except the time that some guy figured out that he would just pry open the top door, cut the filters and reach down through the cut filter to get his treasure). I've done this to my locations where the vacs wouldn't make a couple hours before someone tries to get into the trash if it is not locked.